Hundreds gather via Live Stream, Twitter, & KVEC for #KyEdListens

As students, teachers, administrators, and people from all over east Kentucky filed into the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC) offices in Hazard Thursday night, Commissioner Pruitt shook hands and greeted nearly every arrival. People from all over gathered around a live stream and twitter for live updates.

IMG_0367Commissioner Pruitt, addressed the crowd in the beginning about the state of Kentucky education saying “we have valued accountability and have gotten a lot of notoriety… Kentucky has led the nation in raising student achievement.”  He also went on to challenge the crowd to think about education through the eyes of the children in our schools today, not from our adult perspective, “Imagine a child in your mind as you ask your questions. We have to get away from systems that center around adults.”

Everyone from teachers, parents, and students came to voice their concerns and hopes for education in Kentucky to the commissioner.

Town Hall w/ Commissioner Pruitt from The Holler on Vimeo.

Donald “Happy” Mobelini, Hazard Independent High Principal, spoke about the importance of meeting our students’ needs beyond test scores.  “We need in our high schools – to be homeless liasons. We need the resources to support the kids who don’t have a meal or house to go home to.”

There was also voiced opinions on subjects and skills needing to be concentrated on to move our region forward, “we’ve got to put value back on trades for our area: technology, vocational skills, and the fastest growing sector of health care” said Chuck Lidel a naval officer from Lee County.

A few emerging themes were woven through the night, subjects like health, funding, and technology.  From topics of gamification to track student success to students questioning about the future of their favorite subjects that can’t be tested by conventional ways of assessment.

IMG_0406Kayla Mason a student from Owsley county came to the microphone to address her concerns “school success should be based on student interest and strengths. I love music. Do you see more funding for arts & humanities?”

After two hours of listening and only giving feedback when direct questions were asked, Commissioner Pruitt gave his appreciation to the crowd for showing up and caring.  He also challenged them by saying “please don’t let tonight be the only time you interact with us. we are thrilled and proud to work with you and for you.” He went on to say “A special thanks to KVEC for hosting us tonight. This is a terrific turnout. Shows a commitment to education.”

If you were not able to attend the meeting you can email your questions or concerns to [email protected].

You can also follow the past and future town halls on social media by searching #KyEdListens.


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